In another thread, (http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/14...), Flootus5 and I were discussing the pros and cons of an Article V Convention of States to Propose Amendments to the Constitution. We had arrived at a point in the colloquy where it hinged, as most such discussions do, on who is correct - the John Birch Society, who protest the States having a role in amending the Constitution, or the Founders, who clearly thought differently.

It was decided to move the discussion to its own thread, so here it is.

It was also decided to begin with the language of A5, so here that is, verbatim:

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate."